The big news today is obviously Jimmy Rollins hitting the disabled list with the calf injury. In his stead will be plenty of Juan Castro at shortstop – he’ll bat 7th tonight.

Kyle Kendrick and Craig Stammen do battle again, just as they did last week in Washington. Kendrick’s last time out was a dud, as he managed to finish just four innings while allowing five earned runs. He takes over once again for the injured Joe Blanton who long-tossed in the outfield today and looked to have no restrictions. Look for Kendrick to go more than four tonight; lets hope his first-start jitters are nothing more than that.

Stammen is the starter for Washington, and was partially responsible for the Phillies only loss of this young season. In Game 3 of the opening series, Stammen got through five innings, but was given a no-decision. He did allow nine hits to the Phils, but didn’t walk anyone. This time around, he’ll see a much different lineup.

No Rollins, obviously, and no Jayson Werth either who continues to deal with that hip flexor injury. Werth is available tonight off the bench, and Carlie Manuel said he might play tomorrow. Werth looked fine in BP as he assaulted balls into the stands. Greg Dobbs gets the start for Werth, which makes it four lefties in a row in the middle of the order.

This is odd, yet kind of cool at the same time. It was once a drink for lactating mothers way, waaay back when. Sam Smith makes a damn good beer and this one an has a nice, silky texture, with a bittersweet finish. A four pack of this stuff will run you about $10-12 but it’s well worth it. It shouldn’t be served too cold either – the temp should be about 55 degrees. Eat it with Italian food or a nice Tuna Steak and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. – By Pat

Expecting only 2 ER out of Kendrick may be too much to ask for right now, but 3-4 ER is a little bit more realistic and either would be better than his last start for sure!

The Phillies are going to have a tougher game than usual against the Nationals tonight, considering that both Rollins and Werth are out, and neither Castro or Dobbs can come anywhere near that missing production.

The keys to tonights offense is going to be Shane coming out of his slump and giving us some hits and bag swipes, and if he can’t get it done than it will fall on to Polanco,Howard,or Utley to get things going.

Right now its innings you want from Kendrick and trying to maintain some kind of moderately healthy pitch count cause boy is he close to being done as a starter. This doesn’t seem to be a case of just giving the guy time to pitch into a grove so much as it’s clear he doesn’t have the command of his pitches to make adjustments.

This is why a guy like Livan Hernandez can still get a job while some young guys just fade. Doesn’t matter if your era is dangerous around 5 as long as you can go out there and just pitch, take your lumps and pitch some more. Very disappointed with KK

KK is the 2010 version of AE.
How many more starts will Cholly give KK?
It just ain’t happening folks. Plenty of time and opportunity, he just does not have what it takes. And now for one of my least favorite pitchers – Nelson (go) Figueroa.

You’re 100% correct, Ed. That is why Charlie Manuel is managing on the major league level and I am eating cheese balls, sitting on my fat ass screaming at Kyle. And Figueroa gets a hit. This is fun and I think we will end up winning a long game.

@Keegan: Jamie was listed as the Friday night starter earlier today, but Phils probables now show Halladay for Friday, Moyer Saturday, Hamels Sunday. Have tickets for Saturday – I’m MORE than a tad peeved.

wxdavid: I never made any claims that there would be a lack of run production, what I DID say is that the other Phillies batters would have to step it up a little, to make up for Werth and Rollin’s absences, and they quite clearly have been doing a great job in that department. Shane broke out of his slump, like I hoped he would… and this game has definitely been a slugfest, but when did I ever say that it would be ANYTHING BUT?

Where do we put Victorino when Rollins comes back? He just said tonight, with his bat “I wanna be up here. Put me up here.” 4-4 with 5 RBI’s. But where do we put him? Rollins was tearing it up, Polanco is on fire, and Utley and Howard are not going anywhere.

shane is the real lead off hitter for the Phillies . This has always been the case

Even though Jimmy Rollins is a great player and ever so popular he has never been a TRUE lead off hitter for the philies… sure he got off to GREAT start in 2010…. but shane should stay at the top of the order…

Before we figure out our leadoff hitter, can we maybe see how Shane does leading off until Jimmy gets back? After that, do you think we should see how Jimmy does after he gets back? But above all, lest we forget, aren’t these the Natinals!